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India steps up relief operation for thousands of flood victims
Indian authorities stepped up rescue efforts for the hundreds of thousands of victims of severe flooding in the eastern state of Bihar on Monday.
- Agencies
- Published: 10:54 September 1, 2008
- The army stepped in to aid the rescue efforts, sending in extra troops, officials said.
- Image Credit: AP
Patna: Indian authorities stepped up rescue efforts for the hundreds of thousands of victims of severe flooding in the eastern state of Bihar on Monday.
The Kosi river broke through a dam in Nepal, swamping hundreds of villages in Bihar and displacing three million people from their homes.
Aid agencies criticised the government for not anticipating the disaster.
"Lessons from the past disasters should be kept in mind while planning response," ActionAid said in a statement. "A long-term comprehensive response is necessary to deal with relief, recovery and disaster preparedness."
The hundreds of thousands of villagers cut off due to the flood have been suffering from food shortages after using up existing food stocks.
The army stepped in to aid the rescue efforts, sending in extra troops, officials said.
Three naval companies have also been asked to help.
Hundreds of boats are being used to evacuate people but more are needed, while heavy rains over the past few days have hampered rescue and relief operations, officials said.
"Such is the extent of devastation that the forces deployed are proving too small," Pratyay Amrit, a senior state disaster management official, said on Monday.
More than 467,000 people have been evacuated so far, but there are thousands still marooned.
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